Joseph R. Yates

JosephR.Yates

Joseph (Joe) Yates comes from a humble background. Raised by his single mother, they had little resources and pinched pennies to make ends meet. Out of necessity, Joe learned to be a resourceful negotiator. He started working for wages at age 11 and started his own construction business at age 21. He concurrently began working in a litigation support business, where he was introduced to his wife and the nuts and bolts of the litigation process, investigation and discovery of evidence. Through hard work and determination, he was able to change his circumstances and make a solid contribution in his community. Ultimately, Joe decided that he could and should do more for the community, and he shifted his efforts toward the practice of law where he could represent individuals in need.

Because his career took him away from the typical college track, when he decided to attend law school, Joe had the choice of starting back at square one, or taking the rarely used path of challenging college and moving straight into law school. Never one to fall in line with others, Joe challenged everything and fast-tracked his education to the pace he was most comfortable with. While in law school, he took a job clerking for Roger Dreyer starting in 2000 and was welcomed on as an associate upon completion of his education in 2001.

Since then, Joe has successfully represented over a thousand clients through all aspects of litigation. In recognition of his accomplishments and commitment to the clients of our firm, Joe was made partner in 2014.

Professional accomplishments include volunteering at the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office, trial work, and multiple seven-figure recoveries for clients, including the largest recovery for personal injury claim against the County of Stanislaus Sheriff Department. (Romero v. County - Client was rear-ended by Sheriff officers on a foggy morning, sustaining a significant low back injury.) We are also proud of the work Joe has done for his clients that has caused insurance companies to acknowledge and pay for bad behavior, governmental entities to improve dangerous conditions to property, and manufacturers to redesign defective products.

In addition to representing our clients, Joe also finds time to support many charities in the Sacramento area, most notably the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services, where for the last five years in a row, he has raised the most donations of any individual participating in the Thanksgiving Day "Run to Feed the Hungry." He is also an avid runner and cyclist, and regularly participates in endurance events that challenge him physically. He and his wife can be found at marathons and century bike rides throughout the year.

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